I know my way around a Chicago Irish Pub or two. I've been blessed to be intimately associated with one for the past few decades. I cut my teeth there and learned my way. A good Chicago Irish saloon is a public house, a place of comfort where people from all walks of life meet, eat, drink and socialize. I've been to Mrs. Murphy's once in the past for an event. To my shame, I have never tried their food. In may business I talk with people from all walks of life near and far, locals and tourists. A native Chicagoan I pride myself on recommending the best our city has to offer and Mrs. Murphy's is among those very best. I will never miss out on going here again and it will surely be on my top five list of places one must go in our city. Upon entering the foyer is beautifully grand. You feel as if you're in an Irish grocer. The offerings from the front door range from fine chocolates and candies to edible items you cannot easily come by elsewhere locally. Not already hungry? The first ten feet will cause this to happen. The decor is fine! Like old school Chicago architecture that harkens back to the old days, when neighbors would turn up in droves hoping to procure a seat within this saloon and restaurant. It simply has that Chicago feel you don't get in many establishments anymore. The ornate wood and the rooms are stunning really. Large, airy and wide open with a center bar that rivals most I've been in. I mean really, it's so beautiful and tastefully decorated that you may not realize people can actually get pretty loaded in here. Our server, a young guy who has been here about six years I think he said, was really a big part of this place. It's obvious why he's been here for some time. He knows his business and the menu really well, going in to describe what he liked most and had answers for all my questions. When I inquired about a choice between the Irish Breakfast; a personal favorite, and the Beef and Guinness Stew he said it was a tough choice but that the Stew was out of this world. I went with it. Admittedly, I'm a pain in the ass when it comes to ordering. I can't make up my mind ever. The larger the menu the more interesting the offerings the more of a pain I am. But to his credit he put up with me and steered me down the right path. The Guinness Stew was a large bowl with a heaping amount of thick savory brown gravy stew chock full of beef, chunks of carrots and baby potatoes. In the center of this beauty was a nice helping of mashed potatoes to mix in with your stew to or eat around it if you so choose to. Mixing mine in made it even creamier than it already was. Though I'me sure the Stout didn't hurt the creamy flavor a bit. It just made it that much more legit.The amount of beef in this stew is awesome. I mean, in anyone's stew you usually get a handful of beef but in Mrs. Murphy's Guinness Stew you won't go one spoonful without a chuck of tender beef in your spoon. WOW I can't say enough about this dish! My Guinness Stew was accompanied by a side of Irish Brown Bread. Really good brown bread and I know brown bread. It had flavor and was moist unlike so many dried out brown breads. Truly delicious with a dab of butter. There was some 'HP Sauce' in the condiment rack, I'm not sure what is was, a bit like steak sauce but different and better. I took the liberty of alternately dipping my brown bread in it and the stew. I'm weird that way I suppose.I was so intensely concentrated on my bowl of Guinness Stew I completely ignored my buddy and kept my mouth full while he did most of the talking. I forgot what he had, really, but he said it was pretty damn good. I did try his chips and yeah, they were pretty damn good. I truly enjoyed Mrs. Murphy's and Son's for several reasons. The service A+, the decor very well thought out, old school and memorable. The offerings outstanding. But one of my favorite things was that the patrons were of all ages and backgrounds, neighborhood folks and travelers from other neighborhoods as well. I guess it's been around for just shy of 20 years but it seems like it's been a part of the neighborhood since the beginning. Walk around, take in the decor and it's 2nd floor, it has stories to tell. I'm sure you can tie one on in this place and I'm sure they've asked their fair share to come back tomorrow after a few too many but you don't get that vibe here. To the contrary, it's an establishment I would have no problem bringing my kids.While my buddy had a few beers I myself am a non drinker so it can be hard to find a place that is a saloon AND a restaurant with food and ambiance as good and better than the spirits they serve. I guess I'm spoiled a bit by my association with my home Chicago Irish Pub. It, like Mrs. Murphy's is old, iconic, and original Chicago. It's difficult to find a place like that. But thankfully I have!
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